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C. C. STEWART FEEDING DEVICE Feb. 2

Filed June 2, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 y gwoemtoz (,'Lgfewari Feb. 2

C. C. STEWART FEEDING DEVICE Filed-June 2, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Et x l riff l(l lvIIL):.Inval-'LIIHILLKMLNIEL.

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C. C. STEWART FEEDING DEVICE A3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 2 1926.

Filed June 2, 1925 Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

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lC-IAR'l'iES C. STEWART, OF DETROT, MICHIGAN.

FEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed ,Tune 2, 1925.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. S'rnwairr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of `Vilayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Feeding Devices, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to feeding devices and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with fowls, and it is an object of the invention to provide a feeder of this hind adapted to broadcast the feed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character operatingl by power driven means and wherein such operation is under remote cont-rol.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character with means for broadcasting feed together with a mechanism under centrifugal control for regulating such broadcasting'.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this general character embodying a mechanism whereby in addition to 'effecting a requisite delivery of feed also operates to etl'ect requisito delivery of a supply of drii'ihing water.

'Furthermore it ist an object of the invention to provide a device of this hind embodying a supply hopper for feed together with means automatically operating to indicate when said supply is substantially exhausted.

rlhe .invention consists in the details of construction and-iu the combination andarrangement of the several parts of my improved feeding device whereby certain -importantadvantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be delinitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I -will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to vthe accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a view in side elevation with a portion broken away of a feeding device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of .my invention;

Serial No. 34,449.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the structure as illustrated in Fig ure l, with certain of the parts in elevation;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary lview in top plan illustrating the centrifugal or governor controlled means as herein employed;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section and partly in plan illustrating certain details of construction as illustrated in Figure 8;-

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure t;

Figure 6 is a view in top plan and of somewhat a diagrammatic character illustrating the means directly associated with the doors of the distributing members;

Figure 7 is a fragment-ary view in bottom plan illustrating the slide valve as herein employed;

Figure S is a fragmentary vicw partly in section and part-ly in plan of the valve for controlling the water feed.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, H denotes a casing or housing of requisite dimensions which is pro-vided with the supporting` legs l carrying the ground engaging wheels 2 whereby the device in its entirety may be readily transported from one location to another as desired.

The top 3 of the casing or housing is provided with an entrance opening 4l of requisite dimensionswhich is normally closed by the lid or cover 5, said opening 4 providing means whereby ready access may be had within the casing or housing H to the feed hopper F and the water tank T therein for the purpose of replenishing.

rlhe hopper F is vertically disposed and is maintained in desired position by the posts or columns 6 certain of said columns being secured directly to the side members 7 comprised in a conveyor or elevating mechanism to be hereinafter referred to, while the other of said posts or columns being secured di rectly to the floor or bot-tom 8 of the casing or housing H. The hopper F isy open atthe top and tapers toward the bottom, the bottom wall 9 of which being provided with a dis charge openingy 10 normally closed by the slide valve 1l.

Arranged within the hopper F and hingedly secured, as at 12, to a side wall thereof is a swinging' contact member 14, the free end portion of which being normally urged, outwardly by spring 15 interposed between said contact member' and the adjacent wall of the hopper F.

Then there is a supply of grain or kindred chicken feed within the hopper F, the weight of such feed forces the contact member 14 toward the adjacent wall of the hopper F or into open position. As the feed passes out from the hopper F and the level thereof drops below the contact member 14 the spring 15 will urge said contact member 14 into requisite engagement with a stationary contact 17 and as said contacts 14 and 17 are interposed in an operating circuit 18 for a bell or other signal, such signal will be caused to operate to give indication that the hopper F needs replenishing. The signal may be located within the dwelling or at any other location which is deemed preferable.

The lower end of the hopper F is continued by a box 1S) from the inner side of which extends a conduit 2O of requisite cross sectional configuration and dimensions, said conduit 20 leading to the opposite end portion of the casing or housing H and terminating in an outwardly and downwardly inclined chute 21 extending exteriorly of the casing or housing H. he lower marginal portions of the side walls of the conduit 2O and of the box 19 are secured to the side members 7 of the elevator or conveying mechanism hereinbefore referred to. These members 7 are disposed on a desired upward incline in a direction away from the box 19 and are supported in desi-red position by the posts or colmnns 2 suitably mounted upon the floor S of the casing or housing lrl. lhe bottom of the box 19 and the conduit 2O are in continuity providing a unitary structure over wnich traverses the upper stretch of the grain drag D, said drag being disposed over the rollers 24 rotatably supported by and between the inembers 7 adjacent the opposite ends thereof, said drag serving to elevate or convey the feed dropped from the hopper F upwardly through the conduit 2() and dircharge the same within the chute 21.

Rotatably supported by the lower portions of theside members 7 and extending outwardly therebeyond is a shaft 25 one end portion of which being provided with the gear 26 meshing with a smaller gear 27 carried by the shaft 2S of the lower roller 24 whereby upon rotation of the gear 2G requisite travel will be imposed to the upper stretch of the drag D. As herein disclosed, the gear 2G is driven by the motor M of an electrical type. The operating circuit 29 for this motor M is adapted to extend within a dwelling or other desired location and is also adapted to have interposed therein a time cout-rolled circuit maker and breaker so that at predetermined times and for a desired period ,the drag D may he operated to deliver feed to the chute 21. As the time controlled cir uit maker and breaker in itself forms no part of the present invention it is believed that a detailed description and illustration thereof is unnecessary.

The lower or free end portion of the chute 21 is in comn'iunication with a fan casing 30 and the outlet spout 31 for said casing is in communication from below with an upstanding cylindrical member 32. The extended portion of the chute 21 and the fan casing 30 are further supported by the brackets 33, said brackets also providing a mounting for the fan shaft 34 disposed through the casing 30 and upon which the fan 35 within the casing 3() is fixed. An extended portion of the shaft 34 is provided with a pulley 36 with which is operatively engaged the endless belt 37, said belt being also directed around a pulley 38 fixed to the shaft 25 hereinbefore referred to so that the fan 35 is caused to operate in unison with the shaft 25.

The forward wall of the cylindrical member 32 is open but normally closed by the outwardly swinging hinged doors 3S) which, when in open position, permit the feed under-fthe influence of the fan 35 to be broadcasted or scattered.

The doors 39 at the upper portions thereof and adjacent to their hinged connection with the member 32 are provided with the outstanding arms 40. Operatively engaged with one of the arms 4() is a rearwardly directed rod 41 also operatively engaged with an end portion of an elongated lever 42. The opposite end portion of the lever is pivotally connected, as at 43, with a rearwardly directed arm 44 carried by a table or shelf 45. This shelf 45 is carried by the upper end portion of a post 46 mounted upon the upper wall of the chute 21 rearwardly of but in close proximity to the cylindrical member 32. The lever 42 at a point relatively close to its pivotal connection 43 has operatively engaged therewith an end portion of a forwardly directed link 47 the opposite end portion of said link being operatively engaged with the inner end portion of a lever 48. This lever 48 substantially midway its ends is pivotally connected, as at 49 with the table or shelf 45. The outer end portion of this lever 4S has operatively engaged therewith an end portion of a second forwardly directed link 50 the opposite end portion of which being operatively engaged with a tail extension 51 of a lever 52. rl`his lever 52 is pivotally connected, as at 53, with the table or shelf 45 and is disposed in a direction opposite to that of the lever 42. The outer or free end portion of this lever 52 is operatively engaged by the rod 54 with theV entstandF ing arm 40 carried by theV second door Si). The operative connection between. the ,levers 42 and 52 is such as to cause, upon swinging movement of the lever 48, the doors 39 to move in unison into either open or closed position.

The outer end portion of the lever 48 also has operatively connected therewith an extremity of an operating rod 55, said rod extending within the housing or easing H and having its inner end portion operatively connected, as at 56, with an end portion of a lever 57. The opposite end portion of the lever 57 is pivotally connected, as at 58, with an outstanding arm or bracket 59 carried by the adjacent side member 7 comprised in the elevator or conveyor structure. The outer end portion of the lever 57 also has operatively engaged therewith an extremity of a retractile member or coil spring 60 the opposite end portion being suitably secured to the side member 7 just referred to. The tension of this member or spring 60 is such as to normally exert sufficient pull upon the rod 55 to normally maintain the doors 39 in their closed positions.

The lever 57 substantially midway its ends is provided with an outstanding arm 6l rigid with respect thereto and th-e outer end portion of said arm 6l has operatively engaged therewith an end portion of a link 62. The opposite end portion of this link 62 is operatively engaged with a head 63 in swiveled connection with the sleeve 3 said sleeve and head being freely mounted upon the shaft 25 hereinbefore referred to. This head 63 preferably comprises two duplicate sections whereby the same may be readily and conveniently applied in desired working position. The sleeve 63 has pivotally engaged therewith the levers 64 which are also pivotally connected with the ball arms 65, said arms 65 being pivotally connected, as at 66, with the cross head 67 carried by 'the shaft 25. lnterposed between the head 67 and the sleeve is an expansible member 68 herein disclosed as a coil spring encircling the shaft 25. lVhen the shaft 25 is inactive the spring 68 serves to maintain the ball arms 65 at the limit of their inward movement and this spring 68 also serves to further maintain the doors 39 in closed position. When the shaft 25 is in rotation, the ball arms 65 will swing outward under the influence of centrifugal force resulting in the head 63 and the sleeve 63 being moved outwardly along the shaft 25 and thereby resulting in requisite pull being imposed upon the rod 55 to move the doors 39 into open position and to maintain them in such position during the rotation of the shaft 25. It is to be understood that the shaft 25 is rotated at suftieient speed by the motor M to assure the requisite functioning of the ball arms 65.

The slide valve il hereinbefore referred to S also operatively engaged with the head 63 through the medium of the rod 69 so as said head 63 moves outwardly of the shaft 25 the slide valve l1 will be moved into open position and maintined in such position during the period the shaft 25 is in rotation.

The upper end portions of the side members 7 and certain of the posts or columns 6 support the brackets 70 on which is mounted a tank 7l of desired capacity. This tank 7l has leading therefrom a discharge pipe 72 hereindisclosed as extending eXteriorly of the housing or casing -H through the bottom thereof. This discharge pipe is adapted to deliver water within the tank 71 though a suitably positioned or located drinking fountain or receptacle. Interposed in this pipe 72 is a valve 73 of any desired type and which is provided with a laterally directed operating handle 74 whereby the valve may be readily moved into open or closed position. This operating handle 74 is also operatively connected with the head 63, preferably through the medium of the rod 75, so that as the head 63 .is moved forwardly by the shaft 25, the valve 73 willlee moved into open position to permit the requisite discharge of the water within the tank 7l through the pipe 72. It is thought to be obvious that when the head 63 is returned to its normal position, when the shaft 25 is inactive, the valve 73 together with the slide valve ll will be returned to their closed position.

The lower stretch of the grain drag- D has coacting therewith from abovc a tightener device 76 of any desired or preferred construction and which operates to maintain taut the upper stretch of said drag whereby the functioning of the drag` to facilitate the requisite delivery of the feed to the chute 2l is assured.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a feeding device constructed in accordance with my invention is 'particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modifi.- catioIl without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

l. A feeding device comprising, in combination, a hollow memben having a discharge opening, means for closing said opening, means for forcibly discharging feed within the member, and means for moving said first named means into ope-n position to permit the feed discharged therein to be broad.- casted therefrom.

2. A feeding device comprising, in combination, a `hollow member yhaving an opening, a door for closing said opening, a supe ply hopper, means for forcibly discharging feed within the hollow member to be broadcasted through the opening when the door is in open position, means for carrying the feed from the hopper to said first named means, and means for maintaining the door in open position when the second named means is in operation.

3. A feeding device comprising, in combination, a hollow member having an opening, a door for closing said opening, a supply hopper, means for forcibly discharging feed within the hollow member to be broadcasted through the opening when the door is in ope-n position, means for carrying the feed from the hopper to said first named means, means for maintaining the door in open position when the second named means is in operation, a valve for normally closing the discharge from the hopper, and means operatively connected with the last named means fornnoving said valve into open position when the second named means is in' operation.

Ll. A feeding device comprising, in combination, a hollow member having an opening, a door for closing said opening, a supply hopper, means for forcibly discharging feed within the hollow member` to be broadcasted through the opening when the door is in open position, means for carrying the feed from the hopper to said first named means, means for maintaining the door in open position when the second named means is in operation. a pipe leading from a water supply, a normally closed valve interposed therein, and an operative connection bctween said valve and the last named means for maintaining said valve in open position when'the second named means is in operation.

5. A feeding device comprising, in combination, a hollow member having an opening, a door for closing said opening, a supply hopper, means for forcibly discharging feed 'within the hollow member to `be broadcasted through the opening when the door is in means for maintaining the door in open position when the second named means is in operation, and automatic means for indicating when the hopper is substantially empty.

6. A feeding device comprising, in combination, a hopper, a broadcasting medium, a conveyor carrying grain discharged from the hopper to the broadcasting medium, a drive shaft, a driven connection between the vdrive shaft and the conveyor, a valve for cont-rolling the discharge from the hopper to the conveyor, centrifugal means carried by the drive shaft, and an operative connection between said centrifugal means and the valve for moving said valve into open position upon rotation of the drive shaft, and means for rotating the drive shaft.

7. A feeding device comprising, in combination, a hopper, a broadcasting medium, a conveyor carrying grain discharged from the hopper to the broadcasting medium, a drive shaft, a driven connection between the drive shaft and the conveyor, a valve for controlling the discharge from the hopper to the conveyor, centrifugal means carried by the drive shaft, an operative connection between said centrifugal means and the valve for moving said valve into openv position upon rotation of the drive shaft, means for rotating the drive shaft, and anoperative connection between the drive shaft and the broadcasting medium for operating said medium.

S. A feeding device comprising, in co1nbination, a hollow member provided with a delivery epening, a door for closing the opening, means for forcibly delivering feed within said hollow member and through the delivery opening when the door is inA open position, a drive shaft, centrifugal means carried by the shaft, an operative connection between said centrifugal .meansand the door for maintaining the door in open position upon rotation of the shaft, and means for rotating said shaft.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aliix my signature.

CHARLES C. STEWART.

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